What are the Benefits of Natural Gas Generator Rental?
A steady source of power is vital for any company to maintain its productivity. Portable industrial generators are essential equipment providing temporary power to businesses during unexpected outages. Construction companies, contractors and other industry professionals also depend on generators as power sources when conventional utilities are either unavailable or impractical. Often, these needs are short-term, making portable generator rentals a cost-efficient solution for project-specific requirements.
Are you considering a gas generator rental? One of the most common questions for renting a generator regards fuel source. Natural gas? Diesel? Propane? Woodstock Power can help you find the best solution for your needs.
Choosing a particular generator type often depends on your company’s specific application. Despite their limited fuel capacity, diesel generators are much more common for rentals because of their convenience, portability, availability and minimal maintenance. Natural gas generators are generally wise options for oil and gas drilling applications, as these devices can change wellhead gas (also known as stranded gas) into electricity, offering significant fuel cost savings on a job site in situations where that wellhead gas would usually go to waste.
Natural gas models are among the cleanest, most versatile temporary power sources available. Businesses often prefer natural gas generators because they’re highly dependable and burn fuel more cleanly than other types. Renting a generator offers your company even more flexibility because it provides a short-term power solution without making the significant upfront investment required to purchase one.
Benefits of Portable Natural Gas Generators
One of the primary benefits of using a portable natural gas generator is cost savings. Diesel generators are often costly because of high fuel prices and the time and resources needed to deliver the fuel on location. Companies implementing a natural gas generator can often tie in a generator power line to an existing or newly drilled stranded gas supply line, eliminating the need for tanks and delivery costs.
While natural gas generators must follow EPA emissions guidelines and regulations, the standards are generally considered less stringent than those for diesel generators, which need to meet much higher EPA tier requirements. In some parts of the country like California, natural gas generators also have to adhere to strict regulations known as CARB. When dealing with generator emissions – the increased tier ratings generally come with higher costs, making a natural gas generator’s operation more favorable. While some industry professionals may view a natural gas generator’s initial upfront costs as high, the overall operating cost for many applications offers significant savings in the long run.
Portable Natural Gas Generator Considerations
Although natural gas generators are fairly simple in concept and offer many advantages over diesel generators, they may be challenging to tow or operate in certain situations. For example, users must take several steps to ensure compatibility with stranded or wellhead gas, including a proper pipe system for connection & fuel supply, as well as a scrubbing system that can filter out any solids and water that resulted from drilling. Separating these substances is essential for operation and performance.
Some natural gas generator models include built-in scrubbing systems, while others require add-on units. These systems work by separating the gas and treating it as it enters the engine. Before attempting to run a generator with wellhead gas, you must ensure you have the required equipment.
In addition, stranded gas requires analysis to determine whether the fuel type is compatible with the generator, as fuel composition can directly impact a generator’s performance and power rating. Incompatible fuel types can lead to severe operating inefficiencies and possibly cause engine damage. In cases when the gas composition is unsuitable or the supply is minimal, fuel types like propane can serve as an alternative.
Advantages of Using Natural Gas Generators in Oil Fields
Another significant benefit of natural gas generators is their eco-friendliness, especially when you power them using stranded gas during drilling operations. Natural gas generators play a significant role in cost savings and protecting the environment in these industries. Drilling companies in the past would vent or flare gas into the atmosphere when they encountered a pocket. Flaring is somewhat greener than venting because of the less dangerous byproducts, but this process still releases potentially harmful emissions, such as methane.
Since natural gas generators burn 100 percent of the stranded gas and produce carbon dioxide as a byproduct, it is significantly less harmful to the environment. As a result, more environmentally responsible operations use natural gas generators to convert stranded gas into electricity.
Using a natural gas generator allows drillers to route the gas to their portable device and use the resulting power to supply equipment around their job sites. This process minimizes the need for diesel and other fuel types, as well as the potentially hazardous storage, harmful spills and associated toxic emissions.
Additional Applications
While natural gas generators have been a popular power source for oil drilling operations for decades, they are emerging as a viable source for cryptocurrency miners to use wellhead gas as fuel for their mining rigs. The cost is significantly lower when using wellhead gas compared to the higher electricity fees associated with the power grid. The environmental benefits are also more significant because no harmful gases like methane released into the atmosphere during the combustion process when running a natural gas generator off stranded gas.
Contact Woodstock Power Company for Generator Rentals Today
When you need a temporary power solution for your business, consider a generator rental from Woodstock Power Company. We have the perfect option for nearly every budget in almost any industrial or commercial application.
If you’d like more information on which fuel source would be the best for you, feel free to reach out to us here at Woodstock. Our expert staff would love to help you make the right decision, whether you decide on a gas generator rental or any of the other options we have available.
Contact us today to discuss your company’s power needs and learn more about how a generator can benefit you. You can also follow us on social media like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube for more information.